'Waves of anger'

Trevor Barfoot, a buildings surveyor, who has been looking into the residents' concerns, said: "A lot of these people have owned these properties a long time - 20 years and in one case 100 years.

"They've had no problems with water, or damp problems up until 2006."

Some residents believed the problem is coming from Torre Marine, a nearby development by Barratt.

But in a statement, Tim Larner, the managing director of Barratt Exeter said: "All surface water drainage on the development has been constructed in strict accordance with the approved plans and fully supervised.

"We are confident that our works have not altered ground water in the area but are always open to discuss any issue directly with adjoining owners."

Torbay Council said it would not discuss the issue ahead of Thursday's full council meeting.